Bryant's 

Thanatopsis" Spiritualized 

By 

Millard R Snider 
It 

Clarksburg, West Virginia 






^ 



By ti*ans.f er 
The ttite House, 



Thanatopsis ' ' Spiritualized 



To him who, in the love of his Creator, 
Holds communion with the Holy Spirit, He 
Speaks a certain language; for his darkest 
Hours He hath a gleam that leads him to the 
Light; for his brighter, a voice of gladness, 
A smile of beauty and eloquence that 
Wafts him into spiritual truths, along 
Paths miraculous; He glides into his 
Life with a mild and healing sympathy 
That dispels his doubts ere he is aware. 
His deepest grief is but the chill water 
To the glowing steel applied, more usefid him 
To make in all his work. Thoughts of the last 
Bitter hour are relieved of their sting. 
No blight comes o*er the soul, sad images 
Of agony, shroud and pall, and breathless 
Darkness, and the narrow house, make him not 



To shudder and grow sick at heart. But he 

Goes forth to the open Book, and lists 

To the Spirit* s teachings, while from within 

There comes a still small voice: Yet a Jew days. 

And thou, the all-beholding Son of 

Righteousness, shall see, in all his glory. 

Yet, in the affections of thy friends 

On earth, shall still exist thy image. God, 

That gave and nourished thy soul, will claim it. 

To be returned to Him again, nor lost. 

Nor surrendered up shall each trace of thy 

Individuality be, but thou shalt 

Go forever to associate with the 

Infinities— to be a brother to The Risen 

Rock, the resurrected clod, and the sainted 

Swain, that brings the sheaves with him. Gabriel 

Will send his notes abroad, and luake thy moidd. 

Yet, not to thy abiding place eternal , 

Shalt thou ascend alone, nor couldst thou wish 



Mansion more magnificent. Thou shall stand 
Up with the patriarchs and prophets of 
The Israel World, with kings of peace — the 
Most powerful of the earth— the wise, the 
Pure, fair forms and hoary seers, of ages 
Past, all in one mighty Resurrection, The 
Heavens, gold paved, more ancient than the sun. 
Vales, stretching from the Throne beyond, beyond, 
Groves of celestial trees with healing leaves. 
Rivers of life, that move in majesty. 
And singing brooks that satisfy; and poured 
Round all, the ocean of Redeeming Love 
Are but in part the splendid decorations of 
Thy final home. The Father, Son, and Holy 
Spirit, all the infinite host of heaven. 
Will shine on thy abode through eternity. 
All that tread the globe are but a handful 
To the throngs that in heaven's bosom sing. 
Take seraphic wings of the morning and 
Pierce as far as thou wouldst go, or content 



Thyself in continuous rounds, where 

Rolls no sound hut praises to the Lamb— yet — 

The living are there. And millions in this 

Blissful state, since first the stars of creation 

Sung, have been basking in one great day. The 

Living reign there alone— So shalt thou live, 

And what if thou art called before thy 

Friends, and they at thy departure weep? 

Duration is not measured there; a million 

Years as a moment are, and all that 

Breathe the Holy Spirit will come to share 

Thy grand Reality. The saints will sing 

When thou art gone, the humble Church of Christ 

Move on, and each one as before will love 

His separate calling; yet all these will 

Hear the welcome plaudit of the Son, 

And come and make their home with thee. As the 

Long train of ages glides away, the sons of 

Light— the youth in lifers green spring, and he who 

Goes in the full strength of years, matron and 

Maid, the sweet-faced babe and gray-haired man — 



Will, one by one, be gathered to thy side 
By Him who, in their turn, shall gather all. 

So live, that when thy summons comes to join 
The innumerable procession which moves 
To that celestial realm, where each shall take 
His role in the radiant City of Life, 
Thou go not, like the unbeliever, without hope. 
But, sustained and soothed by the Holy 
Spirit, ivrap the drapery of the Covenants 
Abovt thee and glide out into the future, 
As the mariner, with trusty compass, sails home. 

Millard F. Snider. 
Clarksburg, W. Va. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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